BAMA strengthens links with South Africa
BAMA has entered into a reciprocal agreement with the AMA, the equivalent membership organisation for South Africa.
BAMA’s new five-year strategy has made it clear that, especially in the light of the UK’s planned withdrawal from membership of the EU, that the UK is open to working even more closely with overseas organisations both within and outside of Europe.
Speaking to the AMA, BAMA’s Patrick Heskins said: “In the UK the association has five aims. BAMA unites the industry. It provides information on all aspects of the industry. We represent and influence opinion formers in the UK and Europe. BAMA provides insight into the sector and acts as a vehicle for the development of technical and environmental best practice. Finally, we promote the industry and its products.”
Talking about the recent discussions with his South African counterparts, Heskins added: “Our members operate in a global commercial structure and BAMA sees it as important, particularly post-Brexit, to involve the association in the wider world. The UK is the third largest filler of aerosols globally and so already is well established.
“As BAMA and the UK move into the next phase, it is important that we seek to forge new and exciting opportunities for our members. The standards BAMA sets are internationally admired and if we can share best practice with other countries through their respective associations, that is all to the good for everyone”.
BAMA already has close working links with its equivalent organisations in France and Germany.
At the signing of the reciprocal agreement, Nick Tselentis, executive director of the AMA commented: “The South African aerosol industry is delighted to re-engage and renew its ties with BAMA. BAMA was very helpful over 50 years ago at the launch of the South African Association, and since then has always been available to informally discuss matters such as the codes of practice, training programmes, environmental issues and waste initiatives.
“However, with the fast paced developments within the industry and the pressures exerted on the industry, true technical partnerships are invaluable.
“We also believe that both Associations will learn and benefit from substantive exchanges on the impact of consumer protection laws, development of each association’s code of practice and consumer assurance programmes.“
